Barcode Generator Implementation Tutorial for FileMaker Pro

This tutorial explains how to easily implement cross-platform barcodes in FileMaker forms and reports without installing any fonts, plug-ins or components. This implementation uses IDAutomation's Dynamic Barcode Generator Service which supports all popular linear barcode types as well as 2D symbols such as PDF417, MaxiCode and Data Matrix ECC200. This tutorial explains just one method of creating barcodes in FileMaker. Several other methods are explained in the FileMaker Implementation Guide.

1. An example database is available for download; the example may be helpful in understanding this tutorial.
2. Purchase a subscription to the Dynamic Barcode Generator Service or use the fully-functional free demo version. 2D barcode types such as PDF417, DataMatrix and MaxiCode are only available in the purchased version.
3. Open the form or report the barcode is needed for in Layout Mode.
4. Choose Insert - Web Viewer.
   
5. In the Web Viewer setup screen, deselect the Allow Interaction checkmark at the bottom.
6. Delete all text in the Web Address field and choose the Specify button.
7. Add in the web address of the Dynamic Barcode Generator Service surrounded by double quotes and ending with an ampersand character, when using the free linear version, the address to use is:
   "http://www.bcgen.com/demo/linear-dbgs.aspx?Barcode="&
   Currently, 2D barcode types such as PDF417, DataMatrix and MaxiCode are only available in the purchased version.
8. Place the cursor after the ampersand character and select the field to encode in the barcode and choose OK twice to exit the web viewer setup.
   
9. Size the web viewer so it is large enough to contain the entire barcode, with an appropriate amount of white space surrounding the symbol.
10. Choose Browse Mode and view the report or form to verify the barcode appears correctly. When generating large reports, the barcodes may take some time to appear, because they are generated independently over the Internet.
11. Print and scan the barcode to verify the correct data is encoded. If a scanner is needed to verify barcodes, IDAutomation suggests the hand-held USB barcode scanners.
    

Implementation with PDF417, Maxicode or Data Matrix ECC200 2D Barcodes:

In the Dynamic Barcode Generator Service the text of "DEMO" along with a CR and LF function will be encoded in the barcode. Therefore, if symbol size is being evaluated, only the purchased version should be used. 2D Barcodes may be created from the demo version of the Dynamic Barcode Generator Service by entering the web addresses below into the Web Viewer as described in the tutorial:

http://www.bcgen.com/demo/IDAutomationStreamingDataMatrix.aspx?Barcode=
http://www.bcgen.com/demo/IDAutomationMaxicodeImage.aspx?Barcode=
http://www.bcgen.com/demo/IDAutomationStreamingPDF417.aspx?Barcode=

For example, a Data Matrix barcode is easily created in FileMaker using the web address of:
"http://www.bcgen.com/demo/IDAutomationStreamingDataMatrix.aspx?Barcode="& IDAutomation.com Barcode Database Example::Employee ID

Combining Multiple Fields in a Barcode from a FileMaker Database:

Using IDAutomation's Dynamic Barcode Generator Service, multiple fields may be easily combined, appended or delimited within a single barcode symbol by using the ApplyTilde feature. The following example encodes (Employee ID, the tab function, First Name, the return function, Last Name and the text of FileMaker DataMatrix Barcode) into a DataMatrix symbol:

"http://www.bcgen.com/demo/IDAutomationStreamingDataMatrix.aspx?Barcode="& IDAutomation.com Barcode Database Example::Employee ID & "~d009" & IDAutomation.com Barcode Database Example::First Name & "~d013" & IDAutomation.com Barcode Database Example::Last Name & "FileMaker DataMatrix Barcode"
 

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